Valdes optioned as Phils clear room for righty

BALTIMORE -- The Phillies hinted Friday afternoon they were trying to do something to change the look of their bullpen.

They announced a change following a 9-6 victory over the Orioles at Camden Yards.

They optioned left-hander Raul Valdes (2.13 ERA in 11 appearances) to Triple-A Lehigh Valley to make room for another right-hander in the bullpen, because other than closer Jonathan Papelbon -- who picked up his 16th save Friday night -- the only other right-handers in the bullpen are Chad Qualls (5.32 ERA in 25 appearances) and Michael Schwimer (7.56 ERA in nine appearances). The Phillies said they would announce the callup Saturday, but candidates include B.J. Rosenberg (1-0, 1.74 ERA in 11 appearances) and Phillippe Aumont (1-0, 5.40 ERA in 15 appearances). Aumont has pitched better recently since returning from the disabled list.

The Phillies outrighted infielder Pete Orr off the 40-man roster, clearing a spot.

The Phillies are thin in the bullpen, because Jose Contreras, Mike Stutes, David Herndon and Justin De Fratus are on the disabled list.

"I've been here seven or eight years, and I've been in a lot of tough spots down in the bullpen," Charlie Manuel said. "We're trying to do some things."

Trying to do some things?

"We're trying to see if we can improve our team," Manuel said. "We're in a tough spot right now. I think everybody knows that. We're in a tough spot, but we still have to come out and play as good as we possibly can and see if that's enough."

Phillies assistant general manager Scott Proefrock said the team is "always trying to get better. That's what our job is. We're constantly trying to get better, whether it's internally or externally."

Asked if there is more pressure to make a move, considering Manuel is so shorthanded in the bullpen, Proefrock said, "We always feel like we're under pressure to get better. That's our job. I don't know what else to tell you."

He also said he is not aware of any financial limitations to make a move, although it is worth noting it is rare for big trades to be made more than seven weeks away from the July 31 Trade Deadline. And now that there are two Wild Card teams in each league, more teams believe they are contenders and less willing to trade top talent.

"I don't think there's anybody out of contention," Proefrock said. "There may be teams more inclined than others to do something. A team in contention might have a need that's different than we have and there might be a match. You never stop exploring things. Our objective is to get better. That's what we're charged with. That's what we're trying to do. That's what we talk to our scouts about constantly. When things are going good, we're doing the same thing. There isn't more pressure."

Interleague allows Phils to slot Thome at DH

BALTIMORE -- This is Jim Thome's time.

He was 2-for-20 with three walks and 11 strikeouts, and 0-for-10 with seven strikeouts as a pinch-hitter before he went 3-for-5 with two doubles and one RBI as the team's designated hitter in a 9-6 victory over Baltimore on Friday at Camden Yards. The Phillies will have Thome as their DH during this nine-game road trip through Baltimore, Minnesota and Toronto with hopes he gets on track and starts producing offensively. Because Thome will not play in the field once the Phillies return to their normal National League schedule, this will be Thome's final time this season to get regular at-bats.

Thome didn't hit one out, but he drove the ball to right-center field for a ground-rule double in the second innings. He then doubled to left field in the fourth inning.

"It's always nice," said Thome, who returned from the disabled list this week. "That's why we play. That's why you work hard. When you go on rehab, you're injured, all that time down there, you take it serious. You work hard. And you hope that that hard work pays off when you're in a situation like this coming back. It doesn't guarantee anything, but it feels nice to contribute and play a part in a 'W,' for sure."

Galvis to get second opinion on back injury

BALTIMORE -- The Phillies got bad news Friday on Freddy Galvis.

Tests revealed Galvis, who the Phillies placed on the 15-day disabled list Wednesday, might have a pars fracture in his back. He will get a second opinion next week, but if the initial prognosis is confirmed, the Phillies said Galvis could miss a considerable amount of time.

"It's serious," Phillies assistant general manager Scott Proefrock said. "From what I understand, it's a minimum of at least six weeks in a brace."

Galvis might have injured the back on a swing Wednesday or an acrobatic catch during the same game. But Proefrock also said Galvis might have suffered a back injury during winter ball, which might have been a factor in the injury.

Phillies likely without Polanco this weekend

He said he received a cortisone injection into his left wrist Friday morning after suffering a "small tear" in a tendon Tuesday, when his wrist got jammed on a play at third base.

"I'll need a couple days," Polanco said.

Polanco also has a cut on his left index finger, which he finally received stitches for. It is unlikely Polanco will see the field this weekend in Baltimore, so the earliest he could play is Tuesday in Minnesota.

Worth noting

 Mike Stutes (right shoulder inflammation) and David Herndon (right elbow inflammation) have yet to throw in Clearwater. They will be reevaluated by team physician Michael Ciccotti next week. Justin De Fratus (strained right elbow) has started his throwing program.

Todd Zolecki is a reporter for MLB.com. This story was not subject to the approval of Major League Baseball or its clubs.